0
What else can I help you with?
Importance of radioactive decay?
it is used by scientist to to calculate a rock's age
Where does radioactive decay take place?
Radioactive decay happens to the unstable atom nuclei in its efforts striving to reach stability. The nucleus of any element atom should have specific neutron/proton ratio to be a stable nucleus. Also, the absolute number of protons should not exceed certain limit.For a nucleus with neutron/proton is higher than the stability ratio, two types of radioactive decay may occur to decrease the ratio in the nucleus in order to reach stability:radioactive beta decay: in which a neutron transforms into proton plus electron where the proton remains in the nucleus and the electron is emitted from the nucleus as beta radiationradioactive neutron decay: in which a neutron is emitted from the nucleus as neutron radiation (this transformation is relatively rare. Example of this transformation is the unstable Krypton-87)For a nucleus with neutron/proton is lower than the stability ratio, two types of radioactive decay may occur to increase the ratio in the nucleus in order to reach stability:radioactive proton decay: in which a proton in the nucleus transforms into neutron plus positron where the neutron remains in the nucleus and the positron is emitted from the nucleus as positive beta radiationproton attraction of one electron from the nearest orbit to the nucleus to form neutron that remains in the nucleus.For an unstable nucleus with number of protons exceeding the stability limit, the nucleus may reach stability with one or more of the above four nuclear transformations or by:fission of the nucleus into two or more smaller nuclei with emission of one or more neutrons (as the spontaneous fission of one of the plutonium isotopes).
What does the process in which an unstable atomic nucleus emits charged particles or energy or both?
In the process of radioactive decay an unstable atomic nucleus emits energy to get closer to a state of stability. Whether this energy is emitted in particles, electromagnetic radiation, or both depends on which decay paths are available to the nucleus and which decay paths are forbidden to the nucleus by Quantum Mechanics.Some of the decay processes are:alpha - energy is released in the momentum of the ejected alpha particle (helium nucleus)beta - energy is released in the momentum of the ejected electron or positron (and the hard to detect neutrino)gamma - energy is released as electromagnetic radiation (gamma ray photon)spontaneous fission - energy is released in the momentum of the ejected fission product atoms and the ejected neutrons
What are the causes of radioactive decay?
Nuclear instability (meaning instability of the nucleus of an atom) causes radioactive decay. This is a very complicated process, involving many subatomic particles (both fermions and bosons).
What is a radioactive decay series and when does it end?
Usually called a 'decay chain', there is a series of radioactive decays which end with a stable isotope. Ex: uranium undergoes about 14 steps in the decay chain that ends with the formation of a stable isotope of Lead.
How is a stable nucleus different to an unstable nucleus?
A stable nucleus is one which will not decay, whereas an unstable nucleus will decay at some point, which cannot be predicted as decay is a random process, by alpha or beta decay.
What happens to a nucleus of an unstable atom?
An unstable nucleus can undergo radioactive decay to become more stable. This can involve emitting radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. The decay process results in a transformation of the nucleus into a different element or isotope.
Why do nuclei decay?
To become stable
What causes radioactivity?
Radioactivity is caused by the instability of an atom's nucleus. An unstable nucleus can emit particles or energy in the form of radiation in order to become more stable. This process is known as radioactive decay.
When an unstable magnesium nucleus undergoes gamma decay the nucleus formed is that of what?
When an unstable magnesium nucleus undergoes gamma decay, it remains as a magnesium nucleus. Gamma decay does not change the atomic number or mass number of the nucleus, only releasing a gamma photon to reduce excess energy.
What is an unstable nucleus that starts a decay process called?
A nucleus that starts to decay is called a radioactive nucleus or atom. It decays with a known and unique half life by several processes including but not limited to beta decay, alpha decay, electron capture decay, and positron emission.
What happens during radiocative decay?
Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. This emission helps the nucleus become more stable by transforming it into a different element. The rate at which radioactive decay occurs is measured by the half-life of the unstable nucleus, which is the time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.
What are the causes of decay?
An unstable nucleus, which can be caused by:excess of neutronsshortage of neutronsmetastable excited state of nucleus
What happens to the nucleus when a neutron hits it?
When a neutron hits the nucleus, it can be absorbed by the nucleus, causing the nucleus to become unstable and possibly undergo radioactive decay. This process can lead to the release of energy, emission of radiation, or transmutation of the nucleus into a different element.
What is a nucleus that is unstable and undergoes decay?
Atomic nuclei that are unstable and decaying are said to be radioactive. Radioactive decay involves alpha, beta and gamma particle emissions.
What is the spontaneous process through which unstable nuclei emit radiation?
The spontaneous process in which unstable nuclei emit radiation is called radioactive decay. During this process, the unstable nucleus releases energy in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays in order to become more stable.
What process is a radioactive decay?
The process of a radioactive decay is atomic nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy by emitting ionizing particles
